SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) New windows can increase curb appeal, providing the finishing touch on an exterior home improvement project. They can also reduce energy bills, provide ventilation and impact your view, making it important to choose your products and placement carefully. Here’s what to know:

Performance

As we head into the coolest months of the year, it’s important to remember that windows are a point of heat transfer. For optimal energy efficiency this winter and beyond, work with a manufacturer that offers ENERGY STAR-certified windows and insulated glass options. Likewise, investigate ratings for weatherability, durability and color retention. That’s where materials can come into play. Products made from vinyl have these common qualities: strength, durability, and abrasion-, moisture-, rust- and corrosion-resistance. They are also electrically non-conductive and have excellent fire performance properties.

Style

Double hung and sliding windows are some of the most common window types nationwide. If you’re looking for a change, here are some other types to consider:

• Architectural windows: Custom window shapes, typically called architectural windows, come in a variety of profiles and sizes. Whether you’re partial to arch windows, octagonal windows or something else, custom window shapes can be used alone as a single focal point or in combination with other windows to create a show-stopping view. Online resources, such as ProVia’s window shape guide, found at provia.com/windows/shapes, can help you select shapes to complement your home’s architecture.

• Bay and bow windows: Most often seen on Victorian and classic/colonial style homes, bay and bow windows are a beautiful way to draw attention to your home’s exterior, while inside, providing a cozy place to sit and read or just enjoy the view. Constructed of double hung, casement or picture windows set side-by-side at varying angles, bay and bow windows can be customized to include stained glass, tinted glass and other decorative options to further amp up curb appeal.

• Hopper windows: Do you have spaces that could use a bit of sunlight and ventilation, but are areas where you don’t necessarily need people looking back in? Such rooms – think basements and bathrooms – are great places to install hopper windows, which are single-sash windows that open inward from the top. Doing so can improve home value by adding light to rooms that otherwise might be very dark. And in the laundry room, a hopper window can be used as the exterior outlet for dryer vents when mulled to a small, insulated picture window or other window type.

• Garden windows: While most often associated with Victorian-style architecture, garden windows can be added to any style home. The three-dimensional design helps open up a room while providing an eye-catching boost of curb appeal. A long-standing favorite in kitchens behind the sink, garden windows are ideal for bringing in extra light and providing a space to grow small plants or herbs. They can also be used in a bathroom or den as an alcove for decorative accents. When adding garden windows, consider turning to a manufacturer that provides the option to include adjustable shelves. This will help you maximize the space best.

Need some inspiration? Use ProVia’s Window Configurator tool in its online design center, found at provia.com/design-center/envision, to try different window styles, grid options, colors and glass designs to create the perfect look for your home.

Windows are more customizable than you may realize, with many aesthetic and performance factors to consider. Before making this home upgrade, do some research to ensure your selections improve the charm and functionality of your home.

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